Over a 12-week period, the Clare Champion/ Mary Raftery Special Investigation examined the environmental compliance of 17 local companies who dealt with various different types of chemicals and hazardous waste.

This investigation won News Series of the Year at the Local Ireland Media Awards earlier this year.

“I am thrilled to be nominated for an award in the regional newspaper category. I believe this is a further endorsement of the investigative journalism project undertaken earlier this year,” he concluded.